GB Minister: ‘Projects in East End, Expected to Improve the Lives of Residents’

A new subdivision, a brand new cemetery, a new cruise port, and improvements to the community clinic are all in the works and underway, and expected to greatly improve the lives of residents in East Grand Bahama.

On Friday, March 31, 2017, Minister for Grand Bahama, the Hon. Dr. Michael Darville took island Commissioners and Heads of Departments in Government Ministries on a tour of all of these works taking place or soon to be under construction in the Eastern community of Grand Bahama.

“We in the Ministry for Grand Bahama are proud of all of the works that are taking place in East Grand Bahama because it represents an improved way of life for the people of East Grand Bahama,” said Minister Darville.

Phase one of the Potable Water Project in East End has already been completed and work on Phase two of the project is already underway. On the way east, the Minister and his entourage stopped in Freetown, where workers were busy digging trenches to lay pipes for potable water for the residents of that community.

Darius Williams, the Engineer responsible for the work, noted that the water mains for the Potable Water Project extend five miles from the water plant all the way to the corner where the Missile Base is located.

“In addition to that, there will be 3,000 feet of four-inch mains and about 12,000 feet of two-inch mains in this phase two aspect of the project,” said Williams. “We will have an additional 120 customers in total who will be able to connect into potable water when this project is completed.”

The water works will benefit residents in Roberts Town, Freetown, Golden Grove, Gold Rock Creek, Bevans Town, Gambier Point and Turtle Reef.

A stop to the High Rock Community Clinic was not on the official agenda, but on the way to McClean’s Town, Minister Darville stopped at the clinic to point out the fact that the Government has made some improvements to the existing structure, with plans on the drawing board to expand the clinic.

“The expansion of this clinic is essential to meet the necessary licensing requirements for National Health Insurance,” said Minister Darville. “So, we’re going to upgrade the facility, which will be able to serve more of the residents.”

The new Subdivision is one of the projects of which the Minister seems most proud, during the tour.

“This subdivision is something which the residents in East Grand Bahama were adamant about and so we knew that this was something that we were happy to accommodate,” said Minister Darville. “I remember during a visit with the Prime Minister at Deep Water Cay, he articulated to the residents that because of a lack of land in the eastern end of the island, a new sub-division would be created.

“This is the result of that promise.”

The McClean’s Town Subdivision will boast of some 40 residential lots, some commercial lots and a few green spaces, including a public park. The Engineer for the sub-division is Darius Williams and the Developer is Waugh Construction.

The residential lots will be roughly 20,000 square feet, with tourist commercial lots on the front side of the development, with the park sitting in the middle.

“The total cost for the development of this project, including the infrastructure is about $1.5 million,” said Dr. Darville. “We are moving very swiftly on this project. The lots have already been surveyed by Riviera Associates and soon the infrastructure works. Once that happens, these lots will be available for individuals to apply for and eventually purchase.”

To end the tour, the Minister and his entourage were treated to lunch at Deep Water Cay, a touristic resort that has become popular among sport fishermen around the world.

UB holds Charter Celebration Ceremony in Grand Bahama

May 1, 2017

Minister for Grand Bahama, Dr. the Hon. Michael Darville, congratulated the government and staff of the University of The Bahamas Northern Campus during their Charter Celebration Ceremony and Plaque Unveiling